Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  performance - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By sg - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Great off road vehicle, nice to be high up. Throttle response from a stop is horrible, however and it seems like the horsepower fails to make it to the rear without fading. Possibly due to wide stance package.

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  Options - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Chas1955 - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Had it one day & love it much better than my 99 Silverado!

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  Love My New Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By AMF - July 27 - 10:06 am

  I stalked this car for months, and after a 10 week order wait time, received the car about a week ago. I could not be happier with the Equinox. It completely has lived up to the hype during this first week. I even look forward to my commute now!

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  Mistake - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By JmusicB - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car because it was what I could afford at the time. I should have held out. The four cylider egine is way too small, I live in a relatively flat town and it struggles going up the slightest rise in the road. Since I have had it, I have replaced the third door handle, seat adjuster 3 times, Door Molding, Both window seals, and next week I am replacing the suspension system. The ride is smooth on the open road, but I think they put it together with duct tape and bailing wire.

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  2000 Prizm - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Prizm Owner - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Prizm used two weeks ago. I demand a lot from my vehicles and this car has delivered. You get a Corolla engine, heck the whole Corolla, for less money. I just down sized from a 4Runner and I am not dissapointed.

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  What a lemon! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mad cavi owner - July 27 - 2:00 am

  This car has turned out to be such a lemon! Within the first 18 months the steering rack had to be replaced. It needed a new clutch after 50k miles and now at just after 60k the head gasket needs to be replaced! Oh yes, and the windshield wipers have decided that the new off position is straight up. Yikes! Steer clear of this one my friends!

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  Good StuFF! - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Just Me - July 27 - 2:00 am

  It moves, dont underestimate the 3.1 V6! EXTREMELLY comfortable. Interior material/looks on the cheap side. Olds/Pontiac look better (Alero/Grand Prix). Its no Bimmer, but it does what it whas desigend to do well. Very capable car, and lots of stuff for your $$$

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  Fantastic truck ! - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Charlie - July 26 - 3:56 pm

  I bought this particular vehicle as it was one of the few vehicles out there that I could fit my 3 yr old daughters wheelchair inside without having to take it apart. It handles perfectly and the ride is as smooth as a luxury car !

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  Best Diesel on the Market - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Brandon - July 25 - 5:36 am

  I have had my Silverado for over a year now with no problems to report. The Duramax/Allison is an absolutely amazing combination, leaves the competition in the dust. My only complaint was the small wheels and tires from the factory. Overall, an excellent built truck period.

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  Nothing But Frustration - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By aarrrggh - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Only 1 year old and in the shop 6 times now.4 times for the same problem: excessive road noise in front tires--I think somethings off in balance/make of the car. They swear that the loud squealing is normal. Hum. Something in the steering column broke within 1st month, trunk pops open everytime I drive, and somethings wrong with the engine,excessively downshifts and I cant make it up the smallest hill without being passed by 1982 Volvos. GM says, "youll just have to drive it in 3rd all of the time to fix this, nothing we can do" What?! This car has NO POWER. Im getting rid of it before something MAJOR goes wrong and I am stranded on the highway.